The fiasco continues. In 2000, Angola appointed Dr. J. C. Marino-Montero to denounce illlegal stamps on behalf of the Angolan Post Office. The contract to produce and market stamps for Angola at that time was held by IGPC of New York.

The authority to denounce illegals was officially rescinded in February this year, at the request of the new agent for the production of stamps for Angola. The new agent is AFINSA, the company that belongs to Albertino de Figueiredo.

You might recognise the name. He is the head of the FFA (Fundacion Albertino de Figueiredo Para La Filatelia), the self-appointed policeman of the philately world. The FFA proclaims that it is dedicated to the eradication of illegal stamps and we applaud this desire. We are on the same side in that crusade but what we need is for Mr. Figueiredo to be more effective.

His Foundation has attempted to supplant the function of the UPU (Universal Postal Union), hosting lectures and extending its influence through the WADP (World Association for the Development of Philately) which would be highly laudable if Mr. Figueiredo, through his company AFINSA and his wonderful Foundation, actually did anything to prevent the production of illegal stamps that directly affect the contracts he holds with Postal Administrations.

As you can see from this letter that has been supplied to us by a contributor who prefers to remain anonymous, the Angolan Post Office is itself vigourously pursuing those who have the temerity to sell, knowingly or unknowingly, illegal stamps purporting to be issued by the Angolan Postal Administration.

Unfortunately, its ludicrous, heavy-handed approach to a dealer is typical of the way in which illegal stamps are dealt with generally.

Meanwhile, what has Mr. Figueiredo done to protect his contract?

Precisely NOTHING, that's what.

He has the resources that we at Stamp Scandal lack. He can pursue the perpetrators through the courts. He can put his money where his mouth is because he has the money. We call on Mr. Figueiredo to show all of us that he means what he says.

We at Stamp Scandal intend to help those unable to help themselves and we are developing a database of illegal stamps. Rather than sit on our backsides creating Foundations, Associations and other playthings, we will root out the illegal stamps and expose them to the public gaze for the protection of collectors and dealers alike.

This might seem a blindingly obvious thing to do but it has eluded the combined brains of the UPU, the WADP, the FFA, Intergraf and all those others who seem more concerned with enhancing their reputations with fine words as they watch the world of genuine philately disapppear under an avalanche of worthless labels.

Update: We have received an acknowledgement from the Angola Post Office, thanking us for our efforts in this matter.